Ashlar-Vellum CAD & 3D Modeling News 2006

Ashlar-Vellum™ Introduces Podcast Tutorials

December 5, 2006, Austin, TX. Ashlar-Vellum recently introduced the use of podcast technology for delivering training materials to customers of the 3D solid and surface modeling software. The Lense Housing Tutorial is the first Ashlar-Vellum tutorial in podcast format, available for play on an iPod or through QuickTime on any Mac or Windows personal computer.

In the tutorial Greg Morgan, Ashlar-Vellum product manager, walks through the completion of a typical part for general manufacturing. “I show you how to set up the workspace, lathe a profile, change resolution and extrude a part,” said Morgan. “I also talk about working with layers, editing geometry, overbuilding geometry, importing from Adobe Illustrator, and offer some other very important program tricks.”

“Podcast technology is an exciting way to deliver training and enhance our customer’s initial experience with our software,” said Robert Bou, president of Ashlar-Vellum. “We are always looking for innovative ways to share what we call the “Vellum Magic,” the uniqueness of our interface, that makes our customers more productive and increases their profitability.”

“The podcast compresses this 26-minute movie into a 60 MB file that can be downloaded to an iPod or any computer using QuickTime. The tutorial is also available in larger resolution (135 MB) for Adobe Flash Player on the Ashlar-Vellum website.”

To download the high resolution version go to: http://www.ashlar.com/support/3d-modeling-tutorials.html#lense-housing.

About Ashlar Incorporated

Founded in 1988, Ashlar-Vellum is the leading provider of precision CAD and 3D modeling software that automates and simplifies the design process for drafting, design, and engineering professionals on both Macintosh and Windows platforms. Ashlar-Vellum’s unique Organic Workflow™ featuring their renowned Vellum® user interface and powerful toolsets have earned the loyalty of innovators around the world. Ashlar-Vellum operates from its headquarters in Austin, Texas. To learn more call +1 800 877-2745 or visit www.ashlar.com.

Ashlar-Vellum™ Announces Graphite™ Enterprise Licensing

November 20, 2006, Austin, TX. Ashlar-Vellum today announced the introduction of enterprise-wide licensing for Graphite precision drafting software on an annual basis. Multiple options are available to fit the size of any organization.

Robert Bou, president of Ashlar-Vellum, commented, “This is a useful option, not only for those corporations who are standardized on Graphite as their only CAD program, but also for those companies who are standardized on other software in their engineering departments yet need a powerful and compatible, easy to use and deploy drawing system throughout the rest of their organization.”

Graphite Enterprise licensing differs from the site licensing offered by other CAD companies in the following ways:

Graphite provides the power and precision without the steep learning curve of other CAD packages.

Graphite supports a user’s choice of platform including Mac, Windows, and soon Linux.

Graphite Enterprise doesn’t lure users with crippled or low-end software just to make them upgrade to a real solution.

Graphite Enterprise does not lock users out of files or charge exorbitant prices for translations like other companies do to users who don’t renew their annual license. Ashlar-Vellum’s free utility, Graphite Share™, opens, views, prints and exports files to other formats.

Multiple options provide as much or as little support, orientation, consulting and training as desired.

Multi-tier licensing is available for various sized groups at cost effective prices. Two examples include a workgroup license for up to 50 people on both Mac and Windows as low as US $11,500 per year, or a global enterprise license of up to 25,000 users for only $115,000 per year.

More information on the Graphite Enterprise program is available at http://www.ashlar.com/2d-3d-drafting/2d-3d-cad-graphite-enterprise.html.

About Ashlar Incorporated

Founded in 1988, Ashlar-Vellum is the leading provider of precision CAD and 3D modeling software that automates and simplifies the design process for drafting, design, and engineering professionals on both Macintosh and Windows platforms. Ashlar-Vellum’s unique Organic Workflow™ featuring their renowned Vellum® user interface and powerful toolsets have earned the loyalty of innovators around the world. Ashlar-Vellum operates from its headquarters in Austin, Texas. To learn more call +1 800 877-2745 or visit www.ashlar.com.

Girlstart provides girls with the opportunity to explore math, science, engineering and technology. The organization educates and motivates girls to achieve the knowledge and confidence to participate in advanced math and science classes and future careers. Ashlar-Vellum created a tutorial especially for the girls, ages 11 to 13, which includes constructing a precision 3D solid model of a vase, outputting a dimensioned drawing, rendering a photo-realist image, and creating an animated movie.

“This camp marks the first time our girls will get introduced to 3D modeling using professional-level tools to create real products,” said Rachel Muir, founder of Girlstart. “It is a dynamic and engaging opportunity for our campers to learn new skills. Our Dream Spaces camps are sold out this year and we have a waiting list of girls wanting to get in.”

“We look forward to growing new users as these young women learn the joy of design,” commented Robert Bou, president of Ashlar-Vellum. “Our unique software interface makes it easy enough for new designers to concentrate on the product they’re designing. They get precision results without struggling with the software.”

Girlstart is a non-profit organization providing high quality programs that increase the level of technology opportunities for girls and their families. Founded in 1997 in Austin, Texas, it has quickly established itself as a best-case practices leader in empowering girls to become more proficient in math, science and technology. The organization offers a variety of educational formats designed for girls ages 9 - 15 through after-school programs, Saturday camps, and summer day camps. Girlstart serves a population that includes at-risk and minority girls. To learn more, see their website at www.girlstart.org.

About Ashlar Incorporated

Founded in 1988, Ashlar-Vellum is the leading provider of precision CAD and 3D modeling software that automates and simplifies the design process for drafting, design, and engineering professionals on both Macintosh and Windows platforms. Ashlar-Vellum’s unique Organic Workflow™ featuring their renowned Vellum® user interface and powerful toolsets have earned the loyalty of innovators around the world. Ashlar-Vellum operates from its headquarters in Austin, Texas. To learn more call +1 800 877-2745 or visit www.ashlar.com.

Ashlar-Vellum™ Announces Rental Pricing

June 6, 2006, Austin, TX. Ashlar-Vellum today announced the availability of yearly and monthly rental pricing for their precision drafting and 3D modeling software programs. The latest releases of Cobalt™, Xenon™, Argon™ and Graphite™ are all available under both of these programs.

“While buying a permanent license is still least expensive in the long run, rentals offer an excellent alternative for those who need a lower cost of entry without a long-term commitment,” said Robert Bou, president of Ashlar-Vellum. “It’s also a great way when you need additional seats on a temporary basis, say for summer interns or a short-term project. This is just one more example of how Ashlar-Vellum leads the industry in accommodating our customers’ business practices.”

One-year rentals are available with or without physical materials. Major upgrades are included via electronic download. Up to 50% of the total current continuous rental fees may be applied toward 50% of the permanent license price.

Monthly rentals are electronic download only with no physical materials shipped, however documentation sets and/or a CD may be purchased separately. The first and last month’s payments are required to begin, then the monthly fee is billed to the credit card. Customers may cancel at anytime, but refunds are not available. Major upgrades are included via electronic download. Up to 50% of the total current continuous rental fees may be applied toward 50% of the permanent license price.

Permanentw/Materials

1-YearE-only

MonthlyE-only

Cobalt

$3,995.00

$1,596.00

$159.95

Xenon

$2,995.00

$1,095.00

$109.95

Argon

$995.00

$395.00

$39.90

Graphite

$995.00

$395.00

$39.90

About Ashlar Incorporated

Founded in 1988, Ashlar-Vellum is the leading provider of precision CAD and 3D modeling software that automates and simplifies the design process for drafting, design, and engineering professionals on both Macintosh and Windows platforms. Ashlar-Vellum’s unique Organic Workflow™ featuring their renowned Vellum® user interface and powerful toolsets have earned the loyalty of innovators around the world. Ashlar-Vellum operates from its headquarters in Austin, Texas. To learn more call +1 800 877-2745 or visit www.ashlar.com.

Ashlar-Vellum™ Support for Macintosh on Intel

Updated April 26, 2006, Austin, TX. The Ashlar-Vellum development staff is diligently working to create native universal binary versions for the Mac to run on both the PowerPC and Intel platforms. Please be aware that this issue affects every graphics software producer in the world. It is not just Ashlar-Vellum who is wrestling with this issue.

Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt 7.0

Written by Al Dean for MCAD

March 21, 2006, Austin, TX. Ashlar-Vellum is one of the few developers to create a professional grade system that’s available on both the Windows and Macintosh platforms. Ad Dean looks at Cobalt 7.0.